ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Tri-Flo Zoning Change Approved




Archbold Village Council voted to approve a zoning change for Tri-Flo, Inc. at its Monday, June 3 meeting.

The company wanted two parcels of land rezoned from R-2, medium density residential, to B-2, highway business.

Tri-Flo is located to the north of the Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, and west of Clyde’s Way (Co. Rd. 22).

One parcel, about 13.4 acres in size, is to the north of Tri-Flo.

The second parcel, about 15 acres, is to the west of it.

Planning Commission

The Archbold Planning Commission voted to recommend the rezoning to council during the commission’s Monday, April 22 meeting.

The APC vote was 3-1, with Marcia Cody voting against the request.

Ed Leininger, a member of both council and APC, abstained from voting because he is an officer in the Fairlawn Haven corporate structure.

During the April 22 meeting, Norris Allan, an owner of Tri-Flo, a propane gas and agricultural fertilizer dealer, said the company has plans to expand onto the 15-acre parcel, but did not want to discuss them publicly.

Steve Ringenberg, chief executive officer of the Fairlawn retirement community, said Fairlawn officials were considering expanding their duplexes on land just north of the 15-acre Tri-Flo parcel.

Hanging over the meeting was the memory of an April 17 explosion at an agricultural fertilizer plant in West, Texas, that killed 14, injured as many as 200, and damaged or destroyed many buildings.

Ringenberg said at the meeting he wanted to protect Fairlawn residents.

Allan and Terry Rufenacht, also a Tri-Flo owner, said the company won’t handle any chemicals it doesn’t currently handle.

Council

Council held a public hearing on the rezoning request. While Ringenberg was at the June 3 meeting, he did not speak during the hearing, and there were no other public comments.

When council considered the issue, Jeff Fryman, council president, said if council approves the rezoning, Tri-Flo officials must still submit their building plans for review.

Carma Grime, village zoning inspector, said the company must come back to the village when it is ready to build on the parcel, because it will change the use of the land from agricultural to business.

Dennis Howell, village administrator, said the State of Ohio must approve any building plans.

Fred Bostelman, whose home is near Tri-Flo, appeared at the meeting and said he had no objection to the rezoning.

On the vote, five council members voted in favor of rezoning. Leininger abstained.

Knierim Hall

Council members also approved a change in conditional use for Knierim Hall, located at 102 Monumental Street.

Currently used as a banquet hall available for rental, Kevin and Jane Knierim, owners, want to convert the facility to a retail marketplace.

As the hall is located in a R-2, medium density residential area, a conditional use permit must be granted. The couple has such a permit for the banquet hall, but must get a new one for the retail space.

The Knierims explained they will offer booth space within their building to artists and craftsmen. They will handle sales, and contact the vendors when their booths need to be restocked.

Karen Knierim said their hope is to keep people who shop the Care & Share facility to stay in the area a little longer, and shop their facility.

The hall could be converted to retail space by July, the Knierims said.

Council voted unanimously to grant the conditional use.–David Pugh



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